Movie theater race tightens

The race between two movie theaters intent on locating in Goldsboro is tightening.

The City Council approved a subdivision plan for the site of a proposed 12-screen theater off the Martin Luther King Expressway, near the Best Western Motel and Norwood Avenue. That movie theater would be built by United Entertainment Co.

Two weeks ago the council approved a subdivision plan for a proposed 14-screen movie theater on the south side of Berkeley Boulevard between Central Heights Road and New Hope Road, behind Lowe's Home Improvement Store. That movie theater would be built by All Star Entertainment Co.

Assistant City Planning Director Jimmy Rowe said that All Star is a little ahead because it has already submitted its site plans. United Entertainment must still submit site plans.

However, the site plan for All Star Entertainment's movie theater will require council approval because it is in a shopping center zone. United Entertainment's site plan only requires staff approval, because it is zoned for general business, and only has one building on site.

A representative of the United Entertainment Co. has said two theaters of such size would not survive in Goldsboro.

Buildings condemned

In other business, the council condemned two buildings, but gave the owner of a third building additional time to restore it.

A house at 901 Greenleaf St. owned by Ms. Sankie Everette Johnson of Washington, D.C., and a house at 909 Greenleaf St., owned by Alexander Cheek and McKennie Cheek Hawkins of Brooklyn, N.Y., were both condemned.

The city will demolish the houses instead of hiring a contractor, said Ed Cianfarra, chief of the city's Inspection Department.

City Councilman William Goodman voted against giving Stephen Barcel of Raleigh three months to restore the house at 708 E. Pine St.

Cianfarra said that Barcel had restored two other properties and was planning to restore the Pine Street house.

Goodman said the house, along with several others in the neighborhood, was an eyesore, and he didn't think any more time should be given.

The council voted to give three more months, but said that back taxes had to be paid on the house by next Friday.

Other business

In other matters on Monday night, the council:

*Held a public hearing on rezoning the north side of Patetown Road between Spring Street and Country Day Road from R-16 residential to R-9 residential. Farris Duncan spoke on behalf of the company wishing to build single-family houses and townhouses in the area.

*Held a public hearing on rezoning the southwest corner of Wayne Memorial Drive and Sixth Street from R-9 residential to neighborhood business. No one spoke for or against the request.

*Held a public hearing on rezoning the north side of Fedelon Trail between North William Street and Salem Church Road from R-16 and R-12 residential and I-5 General Industry to General Business and I-5 General Industry. No one spoke for or against the request.

*Held a public hearing on a request for a special use permit by the Brian Center to add 10 beds to the nursing home. Carl Kline, administrator for the Brian Center, spoke on behalf of the request.